Let's burst another bubble this week. It's going to be short, sweet, and to the point.

Last week, we broke a few bubbles that have floated around in the artsphere. This week, we're going to put a pin in one more. And, it's a very common one... I hear it all the time.

"You want to bring New York prices to this little burg."

"No one in this town appreciates good art."

"No one in this city will pay for good art."

"The money for art is just not here"

How much do you know about where you live?

If you live in Maryland, I've got some great news for you. Maryland ranks as the highest median income in the United States, followed by New Jersey. And if you live in Frederick County, Maryland the news is even better. The median income in Frederick County is even higher than the state median ($15,000 to $25,000 more, depending on which year of statistics you choose.)

The money for art is here. And yes, there is a population that loves to buy art!

Perhaps there is another problem? (or 2 or 3?)

Potential problems with money and your art

The quality of your work is not high enough to command higher prices.

Your target audience has not been defined clearly.

You don't know how to reach your target audience.

You don't know how to price your work.

You're afraid to sell your work. (That part where you overcome a buyer's objections? Yeah, it takes practice.)

No one buys art in this town

Yes, they do buy art. And there are artists in every community around the country who make a good living from their art. Their secret? They ignore "conventional wisdom" that floats around. If an artist in Huntsville, Alabama, Fargo, North Dakota, or small towns in New Hampshire, Canada and the deep interior of Texas (and a hundred other places - yes, even here) can have six or seven-figure studios, you know it can be done.

What makes them different? They've applied themselves to changing those money problems listed above. (And, they also produce a gorgeous product for their clients.)

So maybe it's time to stop buying into "conventional wisdom" and limiting yourself. Maybe it's time to determine what's holding you back (it's all in the mindset) and start learning how to sell your own work.